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Friday, 8 November 2013

My comrades and fellow writers, both here and around the internet have written really amazing things in response to the Auckland gang rapists, the horrific responses from the police and media, and how rape culture operates. I have things I want to say, about the police and about what has given me hope, but I don't think I'll write them soon.

But tonight my Mum asked me what she could do - she said that that everyone she was talking to had said 'Things have to change after this'. And I believe that too, but they'll only change if we make that happen. I told her I'd send her a list of things that people were doing - this is that list (hyperlinks generally go to facebook pages with more information).

I've updated this post and added some more detail. Today a new website went up from Support Our Survivors a group set up by current and former students of Avondale College. They've written a really awesome open letter about what their school can do - and they have a facebook page you can like. One of the many things that have given me hope through all this is the solidarity, compassion, bravery, toughness of so many young women and girls, and the amazing things they have said.

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Saturday 16th of November is a national day of action against rape culture, called in response to these events. There are organising meetings tomorrow (Friday 8 November) night in Auckland and Wellington:

ANZ and Briscoes - who weren't on that list have also indicated that they're going to pull their advertising.

I've updated this list - but may not continue to do so. Giovanni has put together a google docs list - which also has contact details

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My friend works for rape crisis Wellington - someone sent them flowers today as an appreciation of the work they do. As you probably know the services that support rape survivors are under-funded and over-worked.

If you have money you can spare you could send it to to those doing support and prevention work. If you're looking for help for yourself or someone you know see Toah-nnest's web-page.

And if you know someone who you know might have been triggered this week you could check-in on them and send them love.

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I'm worried that this is sounding individualist - which is why I opened with the collective organising. I do believe that we only have the power . And I've been really heartened by the informal organising I've seen on social media these last few days - talking, supporting each other and taking action (Educate, Agitate, Organise, looks a little bit different when talking about rape culture it's Educate, Support, Agitate, Support , Organise, Support) But I am going to end on an even more individual note.

It is very easy to condemn rapists you don't know - Matthew Hooten can do it. Condemning rapists in the abstract, or rapist you don't know, isn't actually fighting rape culture. The question is not what you think of young men you've never met who boast about raping people. The question is how you react when someone says that your friend, lover, brother, son, daughter or even just acquaintance is a rapist. I've seen so many people who posture about how much they hate rape, but who snap into denial mode if they've even met the guy (the standard script which appears to be built into rapist apologists is: "that's a very serious allegation - have you gone to the police"). Everyone who attacks rapists in the abstract, but protects and supports the men (and people) they know who have raped someone is doing hard labour to maintain rape culture.

So next time someone tells you about sexual abuse remember what Willie Jackson and John Tamihere said, remember what the police said - and decide to do something different. Believe them without any 'have you?', 'did you?' 'what were you wearing?', even if it means you need to change your understanding of someone you know, you care about, or you love.

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As I suggested at the beginning of this post I do have hope. There are so many of us, who are talking back in awesome, smart, funny, strong, powerful, emotional ways. Thank you - to everyone.

7 comments:

STOP PrESS: latest news on the Countdown Facebook page: "Countdown does not condone the comments made on Radio Live on the Jackson/Tamihere show. We have now had the opportunity to review our advertising activity, and have withdrawn advertising from this radio station."